Coach Mokhnev is an ARAF running coach. The allegations against coach Mokhnev stem from whistleblower Stepanova’s statements, which are supported by the secretly recorded conversations.59 She is the IC’s main witness related to Mokhnev’s Code
violations. Through Stepanova’s statements and secret recordings, the IC investigation uncovered evidence implicating coach Mokhnev in violations of the Code, specifically sections 2.8 and 2.9. The following material discusses his role in providing athletics athletes prohibited substances.
Mokhnev became Stepanova’s coach in 2006 and by the summer of 2007, Mokhnev began providing her with erythropoietin (EPO) injections along with dosages of oral Turinabolan. The IC notes that oral Turinabolan is banned in Russia under the Russian Federal Criminal Code s. 234 and contains DHCMT, a prohibited substance. Mokhnev instructed Stepanova how to inject EPO, initially in the arm and then into her veins. As a result of her EPO and other PED usage, Stepanova’s 800 meter times improved to 2:03.47 from her early baseline of 2.13 and early personal best of 2.08:47. Stepanova was informed by Mokhnev that the drugs would be detectable in her sample for 40 days after her use of Turinabolan and nine days after the use of EPO.
Mokhnev instructed Stepanova to keep a journal of the prohibited and non-prohibited substances she was taking.60 Stepanova complied and tracked and documented her PED
usage and then calculated the exact time she needed to stop taking PEDs in order to test clean at competition events.
With Mokhnev’s full knowledge and counsel, Stepanova took a number of different prohibited performance enhancing substances. In 2010, Stepanova heard rumours that
59 Stepanova Report 16 February 2013, Stepanova statement 15 April 2015 and 27 May 2015. 60 Exhibit Mokhnev VlM0-007.
she had tested positive. However, Mokhnev advised Stepanova that he had spoken with Moscow laboratory Director, Grigory Rodchenkov, and it was agreed that Stepanova would pay 30,000 roubles (approximately $1000 at that time) to Rodchenkov to cover up the positive test result. This payment was paid directly by Stepanova to one of Rodchenkov’s friends, a person with the last name “Evsukov.” Stepanova informed the IC that as a result of the payment, Rodchenkov reportedly called Mokhnev on the same day as the payoff, to report that Stepanova no longer had to be concerned about the positive test.
On 23 April 2011, Stepanova received an email from the account of Portugalov at [email protected] In the text of the email, Portugalov stated that Stepanova’s
testosterone levels were low, but that it could be fixed the following week.
IC investigators cross-referenced Stepanova’s training journal entries and found on page seven, an entry for the week of May 4 to 9, with the written comment “Testic,” (Tecthk). Stepanova confirmed that this is her written record and reference to the fact that she injected herself with testosterone, to make up for her low reading mentioned by Portugalov. Stepanova informed the IC that Mokhnev had provided her with the ampules of testosterone.
On 12 July 2014, Stepanova met Mokhnev at Kasanski Railway Station.62 Their
conversation was secretly recorded. During their conversation, Mokhnev mentioned he was carrying a quantity of PEDs and showed Stepanova that the boxes of PEDs were not labeled. Mokhnev had previously asked Stepanova to bring some ice so he could store the PEDs for the journey. As Mohhnev began the transfer of PEDs to Stepanova, she asked if the drugs were EPO, to which Mokhnev replied they were “peptides.” To avoid confusion over whether these peptides were prohibited or not, he responded:
61 Exhibit Mokhnev VlM0-005 and VlM0-006 (translation).
MOKHNEV: There are different types: for endurance, for increasing
testosterone, for increasing adenosine triphosphate…there are many…about 12 different kinds.
When Stepanova asks Mokhnev about the new steroid passport testing and enquires whether the peptides will be detected, he replies:
MOKHNEV: It is not detectable. So far there is nothing. EPO is still
detectable only 12 days. It’s still 12 days.
The conversation suggests that if these drugs were non-prohibited peptides, Mokhnev’s simple reply could have been: don’t worry they are legal and it doesn’t matter if they are detected. However, the fact that Mokhnev responded, “It is not detectable and EPO is only detectable for 12 days,” suggests that Mokhnev is trafficking in illicit PEDs and providing counsel to athletes as to ‘’wash-out ‘’ periods for such drugs.
During the conversation, Mokhnev indicated that the peptides were produced by “the institute” and were non-detectable. The investigation has been unable to identify exactly where or what Mokhnev is referring to by the “institute,” however it is the IC’s assumption that he is referring to the All-Russian Research Institute of Physical Culture and Sports (VNIIFK) laboratory where Portugalov works as the Head of Sports Medicine (see Chapter 15).
Mokhnev’s reference to the drugs being non-detectable and produced by the “institute” suggests systematic institutional production of PEDs that cannot be detected prior to official testing. Not only is this in contravention of the Code, but also indicates a new dimension of the doping regime in Russia. The implications of undetectable PEDs could have significant ramifications for sport worldwide, not only in Russian athletics.
There is further discussion around the application of EPO and subsequent detection periods. Mokhnev demonstrates a firsthand knowledge of the problems associated with drug detection. In reference to how they were catching onto the impact of the ABP he stated the following:
MOKHNEV: In Russia catching on blood passport as well. Khaleyeva is
now, again was caught. Did you know that? There were many of them.
STEPANOVA: She said that she is warned and not sanctioned; supposedly,
it’s ok for the first time.
MOKHNEV: They paid a lot. I think they all paid about 50,000 roubles.
This last comment infers that extortion of an athlete occurred, and that this payment was used to cover-up a positive test result. It further confirms that Mokhnev has knowledge of such payments. He then continues:
MOKHNEV: Well, we passed it on the 30th day, we tried and we passed.
Parabolan… With Kupina on Parabolan last year we passed doping control on the 15th day. Everyone was doing it on the 21st day and we did it on the 15th day. Well, I had to pay 7,000 roubles for the sample.
The reference to 7,000 roubles suggests that while Kupina had passed a doping control, it was only because he (Mokhnev) had paid a bribe to get her through, or perhaps that this amount was paid to a parallel laboratory for confirmation that she could pass after
15 days. This reference passing her doping control with bribe money is corroborated by Mokhnev’s further comments:
STEPANOVA: Is it not allowed to compete “dirty” now?
MOKHNEV: Well, if you are number 1, then you can compete “dirty.”
Here, Mokhnev suggests that not only can you pay your way out of a problem, but that the institution will look after you if you are top athlete. This also implies that Russia’s most elite athletes are allowed to dope at their National Championship competitions. The conversation then turned to testing by RUSADA and advance warning of doping control:
MOKHNEV: I went to Pudov (another coach) and said: Do you want me to
tear you apart? What do you want me to do with you?
STEPANOVA: Remember, with me, when RUSADA came, they just told me
to go for a walk away from the training camp, as if I were not there.
MOKHNEV: Well…they didn’t tell her that (referring to Kupina). Melnikov
told me the day before: Don’t worry you don’t have to come tomorrow (for doping control). And then I went to Pudov for explanations. And Pudov kept saying: “He…he didn’t tell me, I’m not to blame.” I told him: “You know, you must have warned me.” And then he was fined… one of his (athletes) was caught. And he told me: “I did nothing I was at the cross-country.” But I
told him: “Dear, you wanted me to be caught, so this is your punishment.” “It’s not my fault. You’re indicated as a coach. So it doesn’t matter if you did or not.''
Mokhnev’s commentary here gives strong indication that warnings are issued to coaches regarding pending visits by RUSADA to training camps. In the example described by Mokhnev above, it appears that coach Pudov was absent from a training camp and therefore did not receive an early warning regarding an impending DCO test. As a result, Pudov’s athletes were not alerted to the DCO tests resulting in some of his athletes being tested without advance notice and failing the doping test. Also the reference to the senior coach Melnikov’s involvment suggests a chain of command for disseminating warnings regarding RUSADA testing to the junior coaches and athletes. At the conclusion of the meeting, Stepanova asked Mokhnev about where the peptides could be purchased:
STEPANOVA: Can I call you if need to buy peptides? I’m just not sure how
Kazarin will prepare me.
MOKHNEV: If you need peptides, go to Evsukov, he has the same peptides.
Mohknev’s reply suggests that if he were currently coaching Stepanova, he would sell her PEDs, however as it was now someone else’s responsibility to prepare her, he directed Stepanova to a PED supplier identified as “Evsukov.” Mokhnev’s comments are indicative of a prevalent doping culture and a clear violation of the Code.